Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-03-25
DAILY HERALD.
HOW 1T FELT.
~ = man who Has Had the
Disease.


count Of the experience OF victim to
the disease. Literature concerning small
pox or any other foul or epidemic disease
4 not generally sought for. and is not
uleasant reading at any time; but thu
nreeence of SIN .llpox here amongst US is
the only excuse for the present article.
In the centennial year of 1876 there
~ smallpox in the city Of Los Angeles,
and there was no uistaking the quality,
II being very distinct from anything sp-
pearing here now.
Tho writer was engaged in calling
during the months while the disease
was raging, which occupied nearly ell OF
each night, and in common with every.
body was well supplied with "certain
preventatives" to carry in the pockets
or wear upon tie pereon. All during
the day one Saturday the writer bad a
feeling of lassitude which made work
very isborious; this feeling was inten-
sified ~ the night hours dragged along.
Towards morning 1t required an effort
20 stand up, and the walk homeward
vss 8 painful effort. Il seemed as
though tremendous heavy weight was
strapped around the waist, bearing the
victim down to the earth, and it required
the utmost effort to walk ut all. This
feeling was accompanied with o dizzi-
ness. Sunday was . day OF feverish un.
rest, with the same feelings all day.
Next morning an effort was made to
arise, but strength failed aud the dizzi-
ness returned. A high fever soon set
IN and complete prostration ensued
Copious doaes Of cream of tartar and
water were taken during the day and at
night hot bath was given to relieve, il
possible, the excruciating pains which
vas affecting the head and back. This
was partaken of freely. A physi
cian was called in and some
alight prescription made, but the
same general treatment was continued.
The fever increased violently on the
second day, and the pains spoken of be-
came most intense, extending to every
portion of the body, increasing in inten-
sity every hour. At times the fever
produced unconsciousness, but the hor
rors of the dreams while in that state
afforded ques stionable relief. This con.
tinued, with slight variations, for the
succeeding twenty four hours; then hot
applications and drinks gave the most
relief. Up to this juncture, and to the
morning Of the fifth day, there was
nothing to indicate what disease the
victim was suffering with, as to distin.
Quish it from the usual severe fever
The pain increased until it became ex.
ceedingly sgonizipg. which can only be
described as though q person had been
placed on the rack and every bone,
muscle and nerve torn violently out and
the JOINTS from their sockets.
On the morning of the fifth day the
first symptoms began to develop by the
appearance of purple spots on the back
of the hands and forehead and minu ie
blisters In the roof of the mouth, which
caused . feeling much the same as that
left by chewing wild t:rnip
or biting q chestnut burr. A
breaking out then followed very
rapidly, stimulated by warm drinks.
continuing for about forty eight hours,
and until the whole body was thickly
covered with blisters or posiules,
especially the head and face. When
the breaking ont was complete the pains
began to lessen, aRd after Q short period
2eft altogether. The pains left in q
peculiar way; first leaving the head and
body and passing into tho arms and
limbs, and thence out at the extremities,
but contested every portion of the way.
For instance, the slightest touch on the
forearm or hand was like thrust from q
twO-edged knife, while the upper arm
could be handled quite roug ally; the
Same with the limbs. The relief given
by tho departure of the pain reconciled
the victim to the odious features of the
disease in the breaking out. The face
was . horrible mass, without using
stronger words to describe it, but the
victims eyes were swollen 30 as to b,
entirely closed, 90 he can only speak OF
appearances when returhing sight made
the revelation.
All the usual remedies prescribed in
smallpox cases were employed. A big
placard on the house, yellow flag and a
policeman at the gate for day or two,
few other incidentals having been pro-
vided for the family by kind neighbors
who had not become panic stricken. The
other members of the family remained
on their own premises, not desiring to
to come in contact with any one and SO
communicate the disease; were vaccin.
ated early. when the character of the
disease was manifested; received ex.
plicit directions as to themselves and
caring for the victim; were charged
above all things to remain cool and col.
lected, as nursing alone is about all there
Is in the case of smallpox patient
The family set themselves resolutely
about the duty in hand. The room was
darkened and guarded against the least
draft of air; the weather being exces
sively hot made confinement almost in
tolerable. Disinfectants in endless vari
ETY. were provided and spread every.
where, and sulphur. as an incense, was
constantly burned at the bedside, adding
its stiding fumes to the already doubly.
heated atmosphere.
Everything went we'll until the period
was reached for the secondary fever to
intervene. 1t is during the Continuance
of this fever that the irritation to the
face becomes we'll nigh unbearable, and
in moments of unconscious rawlings the
desire is strong to scratch the fostering
postules off, and permanent di.fguration
follows. This fever began by producing
unconsciousnsss, when visions of the
widest and most horrifying nature fired
the feverish brain and produced an indis
cribable nervous excitement, and seemed
to last for hours at time, when in fact
it was but q few moments. This was
succeeded by few moments of con.
sciousness and rest of about the same
duration, then another return OF the
fever. Each recurrence was of little
longer duration than the preceding; it is
when these lucid intervals become the
shortest the greatest care is necessary,
for when the fever becomes continuous
the patient is liable to die, or at least be
frightfully disfgured and q moments
inattention may be fatal. In this case
loving attention broke up the fever
within forty-eight hours and the same
unremittiug attention nursed the victim
back TO life again.
The most agonizing experience when
a = e. Al L. IL fnaI